Lasalocid in prevention of turkey coccidiosis

Lasalocid was tested at graded feed concentrations in controlled battery experiments against single and mixed Eimeria species infections in 2-week-old turykey poults. Eimeria meleagrimitis, E. gallopavonis, E. adenoeides, and E. dispersa infected poults medicated with lasalocid at concentrations of 0.15, .0125, .01, .0075, and .005% were heavier, converted feed more efficiently, showed lower lesion scores (ADI), shed fewer oocysts, and showed reduced or no mortality as compared to the infected, unmedicated controls. Lasalocid activity was similar against the few field isolates tested. Lasalocid responses were dose related, the higher the concentration, the greater the effect. The optimum dose level in these battery studies was approximately .0125%. Lasalocid fed at two times the optimum dose level to poults for a four week period did not have any adverse effect on growth or feed conversion performance.